Coin selector



y 5- G. s. BRODD 2,000,462

COIN SELECTOR Filed March 28, 1932 3 Shets-Sheet 1 n H Sm May 7, 1935.G. s. BRODD COIN SELECTOR Filed March 28, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2=//////////////////Z //////J7/ AI G. S. BRODD COIN SELECTOR May 7, 1935.

Filed MaTch 28, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 0w nm w /Z033 wz Patented May 7,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COIN SELECTOR George 8. Brodd, Chicago, 111.

Application March 28,

16 Claims.

The present invention relates to coin receiving devices for-machines ofvarious sorts, and has a particular relation to such a device for avending and change-making machine.

Particular objects of the coin receiver are the selection of genuinecoins from non-genuine coins; the sounding of an alarm or signal in theevent false coins are inserted; the exhibiting of false coins; theimmediate rejection of magnetic metal slugs; the immediate separation ofgenuine and non-genuine inserts; and the crediting of accepted genuinecoins to an account.

One object of the invention is the provision of selective electricswitches operated-by an insert as a selector, according to its diameter.

Another object of the invention is the use of the coin itself to bridgeelectrical contacts, and the selection of the contacts by thedenomination, or physical characteristics of the coin or insert.

Another object of the invention is the prevention of breaking at thecoin of the electrical connection established by the coin, whereby therecan be no sparking at the coin to result in injury thereto, or to thecontacts employed.

Various other and ancillary objects and advantages of the invention willappear from the description and explanation of the invention which willbe hereinafter given in reference to an exemplary embodiment thereofshown in the accompanying drawings and described in detail explanationof i parts and functions.

The inventio here described and claimed does not include th entiremerchandising machine above referred to, but only a part thereof. Theinvention is not limited to the specific use hereinafter described, andit is to be. understood that it may be used as described, or altered forother purposes. Because the invention itself is illustrated by aspecific embodiment and is described in combination with parts which areuseful in such a machine, it is not to be construed as a limitation ofthe invention short of its scope as expressed in the appended claims.

The device shown in the accompanying drawings includes a magneticselector for preventing magnetic slugs from entering parts adapted forthe receipt of genuine coins. It is operative automatically to rejectthe magnetic slug and to condition itself for immediate receipt of agenuine coin. It is preferably placed immediately within the coinreceiving slot. The magnetic ejector will pass non-magnetic coins orfalse coins into another selector which receives the coin in a generallytapered space adapted to re- 1932, Serial No. 601,478

ceive the coins edgewise between the tapering sides. The taper may begradual but is preferably stepped so that coins of differentdenominations have a definite resting place. In that place each coin,when genuine, has its correct 5 diameter such that it bridges two fixedelectrical contacts. When it falls into correct place and bridges thesaid contacts it operates a specific relay, which causes the coinimmediately to be ejected in a direction predetermined to receivegenuine coins. The specific relay also operates electrical mechanism tocause registration and crediting of the genuine coin. The relay alsoenergizes itself to continue its function after the coin is removed fromthe contacts initially bridged by the coin. Other mechanism functions todeenergize the relay after the crediting operations are initiated.

In the event a non-genuine coin or slug is used it is quite usual thatsuch coins are larger or go smaller in diameter than the minted coinsfor which the operating crediting contacts are spaced. On each side ofthe position predetermined for genuine coins, there may be othercontacts which will be bridged by either larger 5 or smaller slugs, oreven imperfect or damaged genuine coins. Such contacts operate theejecting mechanism in a direction predetermined to! receive such badinserts, and may incidentally give an alarm or signal, and cause the badinserts to be exhibited, or returned.

The operations above described may readily be accomplished by simplestructures as shown in the illustrated device. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front view of the device.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the device taken from the right hand side ofFig. 1, illustrating an electromagnet on each face of the device.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, with a part of the facial devicesremoved.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, showing indetail the coin finger.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of certain parts of the device and anelectrical diagram, the parts being operably associated for thepreferred use of the device.

Fig. 6 is a modified form of bank of switches which may be selectivelyoperated by a coin or insert.

The device comprises a plate III which may serve as a partition forchambers which are to receive good coins and bad inserts. There is anopening II in the plate in which lies a swinging coin-finger l2,preferably pivoted on pin it. The location of the axis is such that theside of the plate, as shown in the two lateral positions l2 and I2? ofFig. 4. The plate [8 the coin may .lie edgewise.

has parallel cars 14 and I5 projecting on the front side for the pin I3,and the finger I2 has two ears I8 and I1 for said pivotal pin l3.Resilient means is provided to cause the coin-finger l2 to remainnormally in its opening in the plate I8, and to return thereto afterbeing forced to either side position. Suitable means for doing thiscomprises a pin l8 on the finger projecting upwardly between the ends oftwo parallel leaf springs 19' and 28 which are mounted at their otherends on a bracket 2| on the plate It.

The finger I2 is comprised of two plates 23 and 24 with a coin-holdingspace between them to receive a coin by edgewise entry. In Fig. 3 thefront plate 23 of the finger is removed exposing the inner side offinger plate 24. Coins are received by'edgewise entry at the top rightend (Figs. 1 and 3) of the finger f'roma runway therefor, and onentering the finger strike .the curved baflie web 25 which deflects thecoin downwardly into the finger.

n the faces of the finger are armature plates 26 and 21 (Figs. 3 and 4)which serve to swing the finger according to which of the electromagnets28 and 29 is energized. Each of the electromagnets comprises twosolenoids with cores, mounted on a bracket 38 secured to the top ofplate In. The bracket" has a forwardly and downwardly projecting arm 3|carrying electro-magnet 28, and a rearwardly and back--' wardlyprojecting arm 32 carrying electromagnet 29. Thus the electromagnets arepositioned at angles to correspond with the lateral positions of thefinger l2.

By reason of the construction described th coin space in the fingerbetween finger plates 23 and 24 lies forward of the partition and baseplate l8. Suitable means are located laterally of said coin space toretain coins therein. Such means preferably form a tapered space inwhich Such means are utilized as electrical contacts to be bridged bythe coin. A plurality of circuits,'and hence of contacts, is providedfor successful selective operation of the device. On one side there is a'metal plate 35, separated from the face plate II by an insulating sheet36, and also covered by a second insulating sheet 31 (Fig, 1). The

edge is tapered, preferably in stepped arrangement as indicated by thesteps'38. The depth and extent of the steps is determined by the coinsfor which the machine is designed.

' 0n the opposite side of the finger there are a line of contacts 39,preferably not stepped, but insulated one from the other, by insulation40, and alined at the end to form a straight edge against which a coinmaymove when it drops in the finger. A coin or slug thus may drop in thefinger until it is obstructed at some point by the tapered space betweensaid contacts 39 and contact plate 35. At the resting point the coincompletes a circuit and causes the finger to be moved by one or theother of electromagnets 28 and 29. Certain of the contacts which arespaced for genuine coins cause the finger to move to one side for suchcoins, and others of the contacts cause the finger to move to the otherside for coins or slugs refused by the machine. It is pointed out thatwhen the finger I2 is moved laterallyfrom normal position there are nomeans to retain a coin or $1118 in the finger, and it slides out endwlseof the finger to either side of the partition ll.

A magnetic selector is employed to discard magnetic slugs before theyenter the coin finger. It is preferably associated with the coin chuteleading to the coin finger, and may form a part thereof. An illustrativestructure comprises a coin chute of which one face is parallel to platel8, on which isa sloping nmway 58 (Fig. 1) formed as a flange on anon-magnetic plate secured to face plate ll. At this region the plateIII is preferably non-magnetic. The plate 5-! leads a coin C sliding orrolling against it, directly to the space in the coin finger. A

. swingin plate 52, 'onyertical axis 53, is held by a light spring 54so. that it normally closes and defines the coin chute.

The structure may best be understood by reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 5. Apermanent magnet 55 is located in front of the swinging plate 52 andspaced therefrom so that when a magnetic slug enters the chute it isdrawn by the magnet and swings the plate forward. The

coin adheres to the plate 52 by the force of the .magnet. A springcontact 56 meets a fixed contact 51 and closes electrical circuitcomprising wire 58 connected to the plate 52 and spring contact 56,battery 59, wire 58, which is connected to an electromagnet 8|, and wire5P, connecting' the electromagnet to fixed contact 51. Electromagnet 5|is positioned to draw an armature 52, pivoted at 83, which may be theline of axis 53 (as shown in Pig. 1). The armature 62 carries thepermanent magnet 55, so that as the armature is drawn forward uponswinging of plate 52, the permanent magnet 55 is so far removed from thecoin, that the force is insufficient to cause the slug to adhere to theplate. The coin then drops in front of plate In. It may there bereturned or exhibited, as by lying on a surface 54 behind a window 55.As soon as the coin drops, the plate 52 swings back. to define thechute, the electric circuit is broken, and a spring- 65 on the pivotalaxis 53 causes the permanent magnet 55 to return to normal position forarepetition of the operation. If desired an alarm bell or other signal51 may be placed in the circuit to function whenever an attempt is madeto insertmagnetic coins.

In using the coin selector, auxiliary devices are employed which may berelated to a crediting ma hine as above referred to. A part of the stcture of such a machine is referred to in connection with the remainderof this description, having reference particularly toFig. 5.

In Fig. 5 certain parts of the structure previously described are showndiagrammatically, and are similarly designated by .the numerals firstapplied. They are as follows: coin finger l2, contact plate 35, contacts39, electromagnet 28 and electromagnet 29. It is to be'noted that badcoins or slugs are preferably thrown to the front for exhibition, alongwith magnetic slugs. Consequently electromagnet 28 operates forrejections, and electromagnet 29 operates for accepted coins. Legends inthe drawings (Fig. 5) indicate the function. The contacts 39 are alsomarked with denominations of U. S. coins which each is designed toregister. Contacts indicated S refer to slugs or rejections.

Each contact 39 is connected to a relay, and all the S contacts areconnected in common to a single relay. The wire 18 is connected to eachslug contact S and to the first relay ll of the series. Contact plate 35is connected by a resistance element 12 to a power line 13 whichcontains switch 14. As shown, it is connected to live wire 60 of battery59. The other terminal of the battery is connected by wire 15 whichextends as a live wire past all the relays ter minating at both theelectromagnets 28 and 29. The relay circuit is established as follows:Battery 59, wire 60, switch 14 (normally closed),

wire 13, resistance 12, plate 35, slug. contact" S", wire'l0, relay ll,a wire 10 from relay to wire 15, wire 15, battery 59.

When the relay is energized, an armature is employed to continueenergization of the relay after the coin is removed, and also toenergize electromagnet 28 for ejecting the slug. An armature is shown at18, connected by wire 19 to power line 13. Contact 80 and wire 8|connect the armature electrically to wire 10, thus to continueenergization of the relay. Contact 82 and wire 83 connect the armatureto rejecting electromagnet 28, thus energizing the latter. Contact 84and wire 85 connect the armature to wire 86 which leads to a relay 8!operable to open switch 14 in the power line 13, by action on anarmature member 88 in said switch. The relay 8! is connected by wire 89to the live wire 15. Thus the relay II energizes itself sufiicientlylong to cause a magnetic impulse in electromagnet 28, which exists onlymomentarily because relay 8! breaks the main line at switch 14. Inparallel with the relay H for rejecting slugs there may be an alarm orsignal designated 90.

For accepting a coin similar units are provided for the variousdenominations- One will be described as illustrative. The five-centdenomination is selected. The 5 contact 39 is connected by wire 9| torelay 92 which is also connected by wire 93 to live wire 15. Armature 94for the relay is connected by wire 95 to the control power line 13.Contact 95 and wire 91 serve to connect the armature 94 to wire 9| forcontinuing energization of the relay as the coin is removed. Contact 98and wire 99 serve to connect the armature 94 to bus-bar I00, which iscommon to the acceptance relays, and which connects with the acceptanceelectromagnet 29. Contact I! and wire I02 serve to connect the armature94 to mechanism generally indicated at I03 associated with creditingdevices (not shown) whereby each specific coin accepted is credited toan account. Within the mechanism I03 contact is made between wire I02and a wire leading from such mechanism to wire 86, so that after thecoin is credited or the operation for crediting it has been initiated,the relay 8! can attract armature 88, and open the switch 14 in thecontrol power line 13.

In Fig. 1, the step is the receiving space for a 5 coin. The contact 8is the receiving contact for a genuine 5 piece. The step 5 may be madeslightly tapered, so that an oversize slug which might be used for a 5coin will not drop as far down as a genuine coin, and will hence makecontact with the upper contact I. A slug which is of less diameter thana genuine coin will drop lower and will make contact with contact 8.Contact 5 operates the acceptance relay 29, and contacts 1 and 8 operatethe rejection relay 28.

Numerous changes and modifications may be made. For example, the contactplate 35 may be stepped or tapered, as shown in the diagrammatic view ofFig. 5, or otherwise formed, and the number sizes and arrangement of,contacts 39 may be varied as desired. The machine may thus be adaptedfor coins of various realms, or for inserts of any particular character.

The bank of contacts 39 which has beenillustrated is merely exemplary ofany bank of separate means upon which the coin or insert may beeffective. By using the coin or slug as a bridging member for contacts,a quick operation results. However, each set can be a mechanical deviceoperated by the insert, either to perform some operation, or to close anelectric switch. In Fig. 6 such a bank of mechanical devices is shown,each of which acts on a switch, or forms a part of a switch. The bankshown is a combination of the mechanical devices and of the contactsbridged by an insert. The slugs may more readily be used as bridgingmembers, but good coins must be protected against possible injury, aswhere the non-sparking parts of the relay above described are omitted.

In Fig. 6 the same finger I2 is shown. The

.metal contact plate '35 is shown on the base plate l0. The pins 0 arecomparable to the 5 contacts 39 of Fig. 5' and are shown as connected incommon to wire by wires Ill and H2. Contact plate 35 may be connected asin Fig. 5 to wire 13.

For the coins several tilting devices are employed, such as the metaltriangular pieces H3, pivoted at H4. Each is so arranged that the weightof a coin causes its edge H5 to swing in, raising the other edge againsta contact H6. A wire Ill connects the piece H3 to the power line 13through resistance 12 so that these have the same potential as the plate35. A pin H8 may be provided to prevent the edge H5 swinging in too far,so that undesired circuit closures are eflected. For example, if theedge 5 extends in too far, the weight of a small coin passing it mayraise it with a momentum which will close the circuit, when the coinshould pass without such closure.

Various other changes and modifications, omissions and additions, may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A coin receiving device comprising in combination a coin receiveradapted to be moved in two directions from a normal position, separatemoving means to move said receiver in said directions, and a selectiveactuating means for said moving means, said actuating means beingselectively sensitive and responsive to coinlike inserts received bysaid receiver in normal postion of the latter.

2. A coin receiver comprising in combination a partition plate having anopening therein, a coin-receiving finger mounted to move freely throughsaid opening, means toposition said finger normally between two lateralpositions with respect to said openin said finger comprising abifurcated member providing a space to receive a coin-like insertface-wise between its two fork members and being narrow to permit theedges of an insert to project simultaneously at opposite sides of thefinger, means arranged along the edges of said space to arrest themotion of an insert in said space, said means being tapered, andelectrical means opcrated by electrical contact made with the insert atsaid arrested position for moving the finger and the insert therein outof normal position, whereby the insert may drop from said finger.

3. A coin receiver comprising in combination a partition plate having anopening therein, a

coin-receiving finger mounted to move freely through said opening, meansto position said finger normally between two lateral positions withrespect to said opening, said finger comprising a bifurcated memberproviding a space to receive a coin-like insert face-wise between itstwo fork members and being narrow to permit the edges of an insert toproject simultaneously at opposite sides of the finger, means arrangedalong the edges of said space to arrest the motion of an insert in saidspace, said means being tapered-and selective for inserts of variousdiameters, and electrical means operated by electrical contact made withan insert at said arrested position for moving the finger in onedirection or the other selectively as predetermined by the diameter ofthe insert and said selective means, whereby the arrested insert in saidfinger may drop from said fingera 4. A coin receiver comprising incombination a partition plate having an opening therein, acoin-receiving finger mounted to move freely through said opening, meansto positlon said finger normally between two lateral positions withrespect to said opening, said finger com- :fjhrising a bifurcated memberproviding a space to receive a coin-like insert face-wise between itstwo fork members and being narrow to permit the edges or" an insert toproject simultaneously at opposite sides of the finger, tapered meansarranged along side said finger space in the normal position of thefinger including a plurality of electrical contacts for arresting themotion of an insert in said finger according to the diameter of theinsert, a plurality of electric circuits associated with said contacts,two separate devices for moving the finger in one direction or the otherwith reference to its normal position at said opening, one of saiddevices being operated by some of said circuits, and the other devicebeing operated by others of said circuits, whereby the finger is movedto carry the insert away from said arresting means to free the insertfor dropping from the finger at one side or the other of said plateaccording to the diameter of the insert.

5. A coin receiving device comprising in combination, a partitionmember, a movable coinfinger mounted to receive a coin-like insert atone end and to discharge it at the other end, said finger comprising twomembers forming a recess between them for holding an insert facewise,means to hold the finger in a normal median position, separate means tomove the finger to either direction from said median position, stopmeans arranged opposite the sides of said space when the finger is insaid median position to arrest an insert in the finger at apredetermined position therein according to the diameter of the insert,a plurality of electric circuits including'contacts bridged by saidinserts of predetermined limits of diameters for closing said circuitsby introduction of an insert into the finger, and means associating saidcircuits with either one of the two finger-moving means to effectmovement of the finger upon closure of one of said circuits. I

6. A coin receiving device comprising in combination a movablecoin-running element into which a coin-like insert may be placed forgravity movement therein, a plurality of arresting means associated withsaid element adapted to stop the insert in said element at a positiondetermined by its diameter, a plurality of electrical circuits eachcontaining separate arresting means, each of said means including anelectrical contact adapted to make electrical contact with the insert,separate means to move the element away from the insert-arrestingrelation with said arresting means to ultimately different relativepositions, each of said moving means being operated by closure of itsrespective circuit through said insert.

7. A coin receiving device comprising in combination a coin-runningelement into which a coin-like insert may be placed for gravity movementtherein, a plurality of arresting means associated with said elementadapted to stop the insert in said element at a position determined byits diameter, said element and said arresting means being relativelymovable for displacing the parts from the arresting relation, aplurality of electrical circuits each containing separate arrestingmeans each of said means including an electrical contact adapted to makeelectrical contact with the insert, separate moving means for relativelydisplacing the element and the arresting means to ultimately differentrelative positions, each of said moving means being operated by closureof its respective circuit through said insert.

8. A coin selector comprising in combination, receiving means providinga space for holding a metal coin-like insert face-wise between twosurfaces, said means being narrower than the diameter of the insert atthe arresting place for said insert, separate pairs of electricalcontacts, each pair having one contact on each side of said space forarresting said insert thereby determining said arresting place when saidinsert bridges said contacts, a member on which said contacts are fixedrelative to each other, a plurality of electromagnets, a circuit foreach electromagnet each circuit being energized by the bridging of adifferent pair of said contacts, said receiving means and said memberbeingrelatively movable whereby the insert and the contacts mayberelatively separated, and armature means on said relatively movableparts responsive to said electromagnets for effecting mutual separationto different relative positions for each electromagnet, whereby theinsert may be free to move out of ,the holding means at a selectedposition thereof.

9. A coin selector comprising in combination, receiving means providinga space for holding a metal coin-like insert face-wise between twosurfaces, said means being tapered whereby an insert may projectedgewise at opposite sides thereof, a contact plate on one side of saidspace, a plurality of electrical contacts arranged on the other side ofsaid space in tapered relation to said contact plate on the first sideof said space, said plate and said contacts being in positions to arrestmovement of an insert insaid space according to the diameter of saidinsert, said insert making electrical connection between the arrestingcontact and the contact plate, a member relative to which said contactsare fixed, said receiving means and said member being relatively movablewhereby the insert and the contacts may be relatively separated, twoelectromagnets, a circuit for each electromagnet, each circuit beingenergized by the bridging of a different contact with the contact plate,and armature means on one of said relatively movable parts responsive tosaid electromagnets for effecting movement of said last mentionedmovable part to either of two different positions, respectively, wherebythe insert may be free to move out of the holding means into differentplaces.

'10. A coin receiver comprising in combination a movable fingercomprising two spaced means adapted to receive a coin-like insertface-wise between them, said finger being narrow to permit the edges ofthe insert to project, separate pairs of electrical contacts, each paircomprising contacts positioned on opposite sides of said finger in thepath of the insert to arrest motion of said insert and cause the insertto bridge the contacts, and at least two electrically operated devicescontrolled by different pairs of contacts for movingsaid finger and thebridging insert away from said contacts to ultimately different relativepositions, whereby the insert may drop from said finger into differentplaces.

11. A coin receiver comprising in combination a movable fingercomprising two spaced means adapted to receive a coin-like insertface-wise between them, said finger being narrow and tapered to permit aseries of different sized inserts to project edgewise therefrom atarrested positions in the finger, a plurality of electrical contactsarranged along one side of said space, a complementary contact for eachof the plurality of contacts arranged on the other side of the saidspace, said complementary sets of contacts being arranged in a taperedrelation to provide arresting stops for said inserts and to be bridgedby said inserts, and at least two electrically operated means controlledby different bridgings of said contacts for moving said finger and thebridging insert away from said contacts into ultimately'difierentrelative positions, whereby the insert may drop from said finger intodifferent places.

12. A coin receiver comprising in combination, a partition plate havingan opening therein, a finger mounted to move through said opening, saidfinger comprising two spaced members defining a space between them forholding a coinlike insert face-wise and being narrow to permit saidinsert to project from said finger at a resting place therein, separateelectrical contacts positioned on opposite sides of said finger in thepath of an insert of predetermined diameter to cause the insert to bearrested in its motion in the finger space and to bridge said contacts,a second pair of contacts adjacent the first pair and adapted to arrestthe motion of an insert of slightly difierent diameter and to cause thedifierently sized insert to bridge said second pair of contacts, andelectrically operated means adapted by bridging of the first pair ofcontacts to move the finger and the bridging insert in one directionfrom its normal position, and by bridging of the second pair of contactsto move the finger and the insert in the other direction from its normalposition, whereby the insert may move out o! the finger on either sideof the partition plate as determined by the size of the insert.

13. In a device or the character described an electric circuitcomprising two electrical contacts adapted to be bridged by a coin-likeinsert, and a relay operated by closure of the circuit, a pair ofcontacts closed by energizing the relay to continue energization of therelay upon removing said bridging-insert, a removing device to' removesaid insert from bridging relation, and a second electrical circuitclosed by energization of said relay, said second circuit beingassociated with said removing device to effect its operation on closureof said second circuit.

14. In a device of the character described an electric circuitcomprising two electrical contacts adapted to be bridged by a coin-likeinsert, and a relay operated by closure of the circuit, a pair ofcontacts closed by energizing the relay to continue energization of therelay upon removing said bridging-insert, a removing device to removesaid insert from bridging relation, and a second electrical circuitclosed by energization of said relay, said second circuit beingassociated with said removing device to effect its operation on closureof said second circuit, a third electric circuit including anelectromagnet and contacts closed by energizing the first relay, and aswitch which is normally closed, which switch controls the power line tosaid first relay, and which is responsive to energization of saidelectromagnet for cutting ofi power to said first relay.

15. In a device of the character described an electric circuitcomprising two electrical contacts adapted to be bridged by a coin-likeinsert, and a relay operated by closure of the circuit, a pair ofcontacts closed by energizing the relay to continue energization of therelay upon removing said bridging-insert, a removing device to removesaid insert from bridging relation, and a second electrical circuitclosed by energization of said relay, said second circuit beingassociated with said removing device to effect its operation on closureof said second circuit, a third electric circuit including a registeringdevice, an electromagnet and contacts closed by energizing the firstrelay, and a switch which switch is normally closed, which controls thepower line to said first relay, and which is responsive to energizationof said electromagnet for cutting of! power to said first relay.

16. In a coin selector, means providing a passageway for movement of acoin-like insert edgewise therein, a bank of selective devices arrangedin association with said means for operation by an insert in said means,said devices be ing arranged in tapered form for selective operationaccording to the diameter of the coin, and two separate means to removesaid insert in diflerent directions from the passageway, one of saidremoving means being actuated by a selected one of said devices, and theother removing means being activated by another selected one of saiddevices.

GEORGE S. BRODD.

